The Irish Defence Forces cap badge (or "FF badge" as it is sometimes called) is common to all services and corps of the Defence Forces of Ireland. Although principally associated with the Irish Army (the regulations of the Defence Forces describe it as "the Army Badge"), it is also worn by (and appears in elements of the insignia of) the Naval Service and the Air Corps.

Origin and early usage

The badge is said to have been designed in 1913 by Eoin MacNeill, a founding member and chairman of the Irish Volunteers, but there is also evidence that points to other origins, notably Canon Peadar O'Leary and The O'Rahilly. Variations existed for territorial commands, but the majority of volunteers wore the Óglaigh na hÉireann badge. It was worn by republicans in the 1916 Easter Rising. It was rarely worn by the Irish Republican Army in the War of Independence, as doing so could lead to a prison term. Eventually, the Free State Army adopted the badge for its new uniforms before the Irish Civil War.

Description

Design

The design of the Army Badge is prescribed in Defence Force Regulations as follows:

Inscription

Current usage and variations

Irish Army

In the Army, the badge is worn by all ranks on all head-dress. Enlisted and non-commissioned ranks wear a "Stay-Brite" anodised aluminium brass replica. Some enlisted ranks, particularly older soldiers, wear the original Brass Badge which, although no longer official issue, is considered a symbol of lengthy service. Commissioned Officers and Senior NCOs, such as Sergeant Major and Battalion/Regimental Quartermaster, wear a larger dark bronze version. This tradition is assumed to have begun on the death of Michael Collins during the Irish Civil War, when officers dulled their badges with boot polish in commemoration of the general. The bronze badge was introduced in 1924. These two variations are worn by all ranks. However, on the Service Dress Uniform, the ranks of Colonel, Brigadier General, Major General and Lieutenant General – and the Head Chaplain – have a gold bullion version on a red cloth backing. The same version is worn on the Mess Dress Uniform peaked cap by all officers.

Irish Naval Service

In the Naval Service, the "Stay-Brite" version of the badge is worn by Seamen and Leading Seaman on their caps and on the operational berets.

Irish Air Corps

The Air Corps previously wore army uniforms. Upon the introduction of a distinct blue Air Corps uniform in 1994, cloth cap badges were introduced for the forage caps and peaked caps. These have a smaller and less-detailed version of the badge embroidered into the design, which incorporates a phoenix.